BlueChampions The Chelsea FC Blog – views, opinions, discussions, debates, polls, videos . . .
At some point in the near future, Chelsea’s upcoming fixture list is going to look pretty daunting and unreasonably densely packed with important games, some of which will require a lot of travelling. It will be difficult and I doubt the players are looking forward to it. At the minute though, the fixtures surely aren’t coming fast enough! After an incredible September, this international break threatens to disrupt the phenomenal form we’ve built up and need to maintain against Spurs and Man Utd. Nevertheless, there were a couple of fascinating international fixtures for us to enjoy from a Chelsea perspective at the end of last week…
The first one being Belgium playing away to Serbia in their Group A WC Qualifier. Even without the Chelsea connections, this was interesting to watch, as a contest between two of the most exciting young sides in Europe at the moment. Firstly looking at the side Sinisa Mahajlovic has put together for Serbia – Matija Nastasic (Manchester City) and Neven Subotic (Borussia Dortmund) could easily develop into one the world’s greatest centre back partnerships. Also, the attacking quartet of Zoran Tosic, Filip Duricic,FC Twente playmaker Dusan Tadic and 18 year old Lazar Markovic (who’s been linked to Chelsea in the past) have to potential to be formidable together.
The most important step Mihajlovic has taken though in forming this Serbia team is the removal of all the cliques that have been so detrimental in the past leading up to major tournaments. He is attempting to build a side that will be united and stimulated by patriotic pride and a passionate desire to represent and succeed with their country. This is where he is fortunate in already having the perfect captain to lead such a side, in Branislav Ivanovic. An unforgiving, uncompromising, hard as nails defender who already adorns the captains armband with pride. Under the leadership of Mihajlovic and our outstanding #2, Serbia are a team I’d recommend any fan to watch out for over the next few years.
As for Belgium, I’ve written loads about them for this blog already, so I’ll just say I think they’re at the stage now that Serbia should be aspiring towards – where all of their best players have really begun to fulfil their potential as individuals at club level and now are expected to start delivering for their country. In the end they comfortably won 3-0 Friday night with goals from Benteke, Mirallas and from Kevin De Bruyne (who also picked up an assist). So far the 21 year old’s loan spell at Werder Bremen has gone brilliantly and by all indications, he could be a key player for Chelsea sooner rather than later – which you’d think would inevitably make him a key player for Belgium as well.
The second game of interest to me was Brazil’s friendly with Iraq. No doubt this would’ve been an important game for Oscar as well as he got to line up alongside his hero, Kaka, for the first time in his career. This was Kaka’s first game for Brazil since the 2010 World Cup; I’m not sure personally how he’d have felt about his performance. He scored a fantastic goal, and if his only objectives were to prove he still oozes quality and can play a major part in the development and improvement of this young team – then I think he’d have been very happy. If he wanted to come back and prove he’s still good enough for the side to be based around him, then he could only have been very disappointed.
What Thursday night’s game showed was that Kaka could never be the main man for Brazil again, as despite his excellent performance he was nowhere near the best player on the pitch. That distinction goes to… surprise surprise – Oscar! If you ask me, the reality for Kaka isn’t that he can ‘no longer’ influence a game the way Oscar does, but it’s that he never could. Partly because the first half of his career coincided with the best years of Ronaldinho’s career and partly because the second half was dictated by Dunga’s defensive tactics – but ultimately, he is just a very different sort of playmaker to Oscar and in many ways is inferior.
As always, the Chelsea player was at the centre of all of Brazil’s attacking moves. During the first half in particular it seemed like he had more touches of the ball than the rest of the team combined! His incredible energy and work rate meant he was constantly available to pass to and it bought him the first two of Brazil’s six goals. Whether he meant to or not, Oscar provided a conclusive answer to those wondering what Kaka’s role could be, moving forward with the national team. And the answer is as long as his natural heir and successor is in the team, Kaka will remain a periphery figure, forced to adapt and change into the sort of player this new generation needs him to be – the sort of player that won’t stifle the creative freedom that used to be his, and is now the privilege of a younger, more complete version of himself.
International breaks that interrupt the Premier League season are always going to be a pain, especially when Chelsea are on such a good run of form. But at least when there are Chelsea players leading/inspiring/forming the spine of some of the most exciting young teams from all around the world – I think we have just about enough to keep us going.
@MatthewClark46
I absolutely detest comparisons of players who have achieved nothing with greats. Hes the next zidane, next rivaldo, next maldini, next ronaldinho etc etc.
Such a Poor and lazy article. You seem to forget that kaka has not been playing week in and out like Oscar and is just getting back on form. Lets also not get carried away by Brazil they choked so badly just this summer and it was only Iraq this week.
Lets see them smash Germany or Spain and lets see Oscar beating up teams like that. The point being that these ridiculous games show nothing except scaring supporters that their player might get injured playing a worthless match.
Let atleast Oscar have 1 excellent season at chelsea before we compare him to one of the greatest players of the past decade.
The only thing I care abt in these silly matches with san marinos and fijis and hawaiis is that all our players come back healthy so we can smash some spuds.
What Kaka has ‘achieved’ or even how talented he was, carries absolutely no relevance to the sort of player he was, in terms of style, or the manner in which he contributes to his teams – which is the only comparison that’s been made here. It wouldn’t matter if he’d won zero trophies or if he won dozens.
Oscar isn’t the next Kaka. He isn’t the next anybody. But, in taking over the role Kaka used to play for Brazil he’s shown everybody he’s a more complete player than his hero ever was.
For all his talents, Kaka never exerted this degree of influence on Brazils midfield. Even at his peak he was a player of bursts and surges, whereas Oscsr never seems to disappear. And that isn’t a criticism of Kaka and it isn’t an implication that Oscar is a better player. It’s a statement of fact.
The first time I seen Oscar play I could see that the kid had talent. He got great technique and he is dangerous in attacking (Big talent) Give Oscar one season with Chelsea he will only get better.KTBFFH – Kaka WHO IS KAKA??????
Lol, he has ‘shown’ nothing yet, and this Brazilian team whilst talented is not a patch on the one I grew up watching rivaldo, ronaldo, adriano, ronaldinho, kaka, cafu, Carlos et al.
If you speak of relative control for me Brazil will win no major trophy until they find a answer in every position to Spain, that Brazilian team would match Spain while this one is just full of talented prospects none of which look the best players in their position.
Neymar moura are the same very talented but right now they are all robinhos until they can prove otherwise.
Also another interesting thing, up until a year or two back henrique ganso was the next awesome thing before almost disappearing from the 1st team.
The next time Brazil lose at a big competition menzes will be fired, a new coach will come in and bring in 10 other new peles, zicos, garrinchas etc which I call the ‘flavors of the month’. People not unlike yourself will ooh and aah again.
What I say is keep your feet on the ground and start performing game after game after game, if you do it well enough for years you will be a true star. Until then all this hype is pure hogwash.
Much truth in what JoeBlue says but still Oscar is a gem that is performing and on the way to being a superstar and importantly is a blue t
Oscar is extremely good n a better n d most complete midfielder in d world presently…. He can only get better people… So stop d hating
Kaka is the past while Oscar is the present. Oscar will be the future star while Kaka will be remembered as a former star.Base on the fact, Kaka could not be compared with Oscar.Oscar have all the time. At such a young age had shown his potential. Kaka is on the verge of declining…………….
Chelsea FC shld buy Neymar and Fellaini to compliment de efforts and beauty of these Chelsea generation.NB.CFC dont need Falcoa.
Oscar is a young talented player important 4 chelsea & Brazil but yet cannot be compared 2 fomer world footballer of the year KAKA but I see him doing what exactly Modric will do at Chelsea.4rm Thundra.
There’s a very long list of people oohing and aahing over Oscar at the minute, including Fernando Duarte, Paulo Freitas, Jack Lang, Tim Vickery etc. All of whom are internationally renowned South American Football journalists, and all of whom are very experienced in dealing with hype surrounding talented teenagers – they don’t get excited over anybody. Vickery has even come out and called Oscar, “the most important player Brazil has produced in a while”.
I don’t know why you seem so desperate to defend a point of view I haven’t even challenged. I haven’t suggested Oscar is more talented, more intelligent, or even likely to reach the heights Kaka has reached. I’ve only said two things: 1) He is a hell of lot more important to Brazil now than Kaka is, and 2) He is a more complete playmaker than Kaka ever was – and they are both indisputable.
Wow journalists hyping up players, thats new. Um not. That is their job, they would have you believe rooney is as good as messi, or walcott is Henry or oxlade is iniesta in the making. When they fail they wld say- oh he jst cldnt use his undeniable talent. Then find another poor youngster to hype up and fill their columns.
Is Oscar talented? I believe he is, he is blessed with great feet, great vision and oozes quality. Will he be more important to Brazil than kaka? Well brazil hope so, kaka is 30 Oscar is 21, do the math. They dont have as astonishing talents anymore as they had before. Is he better? No, kaka has/had everything Oscar does but more pace and flair.
But if Oscar becomes half the player kaka was in full flow, we are blessed. And we should be happy about that.
Kaka in his tym did brilliantly his pace,skil asist goals nd ataks, an aplaud 4 d skipper …oscar a new prospect in dis generation a sound playa wit kakas qualities its a gud learnin wel nd oscar did so…oscar has a career ahead dan his role model kaka wu is 30 nd stil shw spark bt games wld cm wen kaka wld b nided mre so dnt wryt him of.futbal change u nid xprienc.
These aren’t tabloid columnists, they’re freelance writers with careers based on their reputation. I follow them all closely and they don’t hand out such strong endorsements to anybody and they’re all usually far more keen to criticise or disapprove of other media darlings like Lucas Moura – they’ll get paid just as much for doing that.
Once again, the issue here isn’t what either player ‘has’ or doesnt have, and it isn’t about judging/rating Oscar using Kaka as a measuring stick. Whether he becomes half or even twice the player Kaka was is irrelevant.
The only thing really similar between the two of them is the position they play. Their methods, and the influence those methods have on the way their team plays, is the only comparison I’m trying to make. And the biggest contrast, that to me is so plainly clear, is how Kaka is a player of “instances” whilst Oscar is a player of “prolonged periods”.
Even at his peak, Kaka’s game was about holding off, staying in between the lines, waiting to be fed the ball before making his impact. Whereas Oscar never seems to be more than a few metres away from the ball at all times, always wanting it, and never wasting it.
I’m not calling him better or worse, he is just more.
Personally I dont care two hoots for football journalists, I understand enough football to be not swayed by the opinions of such people.
If we still are talking how good Oscar is 5-6 years down the line, he would have made it. Thats how it goes lot of hard work and years of great performances not the opinion of people who will jump on the bandwagon of the next new tom dick harry in town.
Matt Clark,
I agree with you. Kaka always used to wait for the ball and then attack with sudden bursts of speed towards the opponent’s goal.
To be honest with you I was never fond of Kaka, I always thought that he was over-rated.
I believe that Kaka should never won the Fifa World Player of the Year award, because AC Milan won the Uefa Champions league a cup competition, instead the award should have been given to Cristiano Ronaldo who scored a huge amount of goals (the first of his unbelievable seasons) hat helped Manchester United win the FA Premier League.
As far as Oscar goes, I haven’t seen much of him as I don’t watch that much football matches anymore. I just haven’t seen enough of him to give you an informed opinion. But I will let you know if this young man is a exceptional football player.
Personally I dont care two hoots for football journalists, I understand enough football to be not swayed by the opinions of such people.
If we still are talking how good Oscar is 5-6 years down the line, he would have made it. Thats how it goes lot of hard work and years of great performances not the opinion of people who will jump on the bandwagon of the next new tom )!(k harry in town.
Michael
Is that the same season kaka r@ped ronaldos united?? You think Martin o neill should manage chelsea, you think kaka is overrated, you dont have time to watch the team you supossedly support, are you some sort of spoof or parody account?
Guys!
I rarely comment, but sometimes it makes me smile while I run through your comments, and today I couldn’t resist to post one myself:
@joeblue&@MattClark guys lets just stop at the point where we agree that Oscar is brilliant at the moment but he has a long way to go to reach the heights that Kaka has reached. …….buuuut, he has got that potential 100%! ))
@Michael LOL! no offense, but you are a bit strange mate! ))
@Stanley what kind of language is that man, Afrikaans or something? There is no word limit in this blog for comments, so please stop making people suffer and break their brains while they try to look into and understand what you are trying to share with them. No offense mate.. ))
You have all made important points about the two players (kaka & Oscar). During kaka days,(when he was in good form) he was a great player ,he has played many matches, assisted and scored many goals,and won both major cups and individual awards.But what i noticed of kaka in brazil shirt was that he was not unique in his position and lost ball at times, without him, Brazil were still in good shape. I have watched almost all matches oscar has played for Brazil national team, most noticable are the matches against Argentina, (though they lost, but Oscar exhibited an exellent performance) and in london 2012 olympic where he was influential through out. Without him in the midfield, Brazil would be zero because he hardly lost the ball and created many chances, both sub-assists and final assists, his final touch on the ball was and is always unique….if he continues his good form, he would become the best brazilian midfielder we have ever seen. ‘THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR WILL BE DURABILITY’
Joeblue,
Joey it’s all good. But you have to realise that Kaka is not a so-called great.
Sherzod,
Ha ha, ha, in what way am I strange mate!
I’m being honest when I saw them hand over the Fifa World Player of the Year award to Kaka, I sat there speechless thinking what must be going on through Cristiano Ronaldo’s head. If twitter was around in those days, I would have probably tweeted that Cristiano Ronaldo is probably sad.
@Michael
I mean, according to my observations, you are very active in this blog and I often find you debating with many people here. But now, all of a sudden, you are declaring that you are not even watching the games. So, the obvious question that comes to my mind is, what are the basis for your arguments? For me this is a bit strange…)))
Sherzod,
I watch the highlights. I make a note to try and catch the highlights whenever Chelsea plays and also any other football clubs across Europe.
Michael
Ronaldo had no reason to be shocked, he was bested in both the legs against Milan by Kaka. if it is just by goals you measure a Ballon d’or then you are talking about the golden shoe or the top scorer, not the best player.
joeblue,
Joey, I remember that season clearly. Ronaldo had an very good season has his goals helped Manchester United win the FA Premier league.
Ronaldo had an unbelievable season.
Kaka just had a two good games against Manchester United throughout a poor season.
Kaka’s goals and assists won Milan the champions league. End of.
joeblue,
Joey, what is more important.
Winning a marathon, like the Barclays Premier League or winning the Uefa Champions League.
Joey, did AC Milan win the Serie A that season. No.
Sorry, Joey.
Gentlemen,
I was watching Sky Sports yesterday and the sports news agency announced the latest Delouites ticket income.
1. Manchester United GBP 108m
2. Arsenal +/- GBP 90m
3. Chelsea +/- GBP 60m
4. Liverpool +/- GBP 40m
5. Man City +/- GBP 24m
How much does a ticket cost to see a Manchester City football match.
Wow that’s ridiculous.
Michael
Do u remember Milan started that season with a point cut? Ronaldo we all remember took OUR title with all the dive penalties he scored. Anyways when it mattered for him to show up he was in the pocket of gatusso while kaka smashed their defence apart. every season people have an opinion on who is the best player. That is your opinion, but to say kaka is not world class is a downright joke.
joeblue,
Joey, are you drinking?
How can you say that Cristiano Ronaldo did not deserve to win the Fifa World Player of the Year award for the 2007-2008 season.
Look at these statistics and if you still don’t think that Cristiano Ronaldo was robbed then I would suggest that you leave football and watch a sport that is more suited to you like chess or cricket.
Ricardo Kaka 41 Apps/19 Goals
Cristiano Ronaldo 49 Apps/42 Goals
Joey, enough said.
1. Dont call me joey
2. according to you the top scorer should be handed the award, then I suppose lets take it back from ronaldinho, zidane, nedved, cannavaro, beckenbaur, figo etc who dint score the most goals the season they won the award.
3. World player = best player not topscorer
4. Resorting to racism, quite classy. You can keep on posting if you want, I am not gonna debate with a bigot.
5. Goodbye!
Joeblue,
Joey, sorry If I hurt your feelings, mate!
Look I thought about what I’ve posted and I’ve come to the realisation that I posted the wrong season. I remember that Cristiano Ronaldo must of been upset that he lost out to Ricardo Kaka and had his best Manchester United season the following season.
None the less, I still feel that Cristiano Ronaldo helped Manchester United win the league which was difficult 10 month long campaign.
Oscar is just starting his career at big stage….he would be under close scrutiny now and he would have to perform for next couple of years if he wants to be mentioned in same breath as Kaka…till then jury is still out.
Michael.
Kaka helped Milan win the CL in 2006/07 season and consequently he won the FIfa best player of the Year award. The next season Ronaldo helped United win the CL and consequently he won the the Fifa best player of the year award.
Yes, I know that you realized your mistake later but still thinking about non-existent things is a sign of a mental disease as you were thinking that Ronaldo was robbed off the award, a case which never happened, especially when he actually won the award just a year later after Kaka. I would advise you to see a doctor.
Cheers.